OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of liriodendrin on the intestinal flora and the ferroptosis signaling pathway in renal tissue of rats with sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI). METHODS: Thirty male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham group), sepsis model induced by cecal ligation and puncture group (CLP group), and liriodendrin intervention group (CLP+LIR group), with 10 rats in each group. The CLP+LIR group was given 0.2 mL of 100 mg/kg liriodendrin by gavage 2 hours before modeling; Sham group and CLP group were given the same volume of normal saline by gavage. The samples were collected after anesthesia 24 hours after modeling. The pathological changes of renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The levels of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6) were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The levels of renal function indicators such as creatinine (Cr), and urea nitrogen (UREA) in peripheral blood, and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) and Fe²⁺ in renal tissue were detected. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in renal tissues. The changes of intestinal flora were detected by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing. RESULTS: Compared with the Sham group, the CLP group showed significantly enlarged glomeruli, noticeable renal interstitial edema, disorganized kidney tissue, and significantly increased pathological scores. The contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, Cr, and UREA in peripheral blood and the levels of MDA and Fe²⁺ in renal tissue were significantly increased. The protein expressions of Nrf2, GPX4, and HO-1 in renal tissue were significantly down-regulated. The species richness of intestinal flora decreased significantly, and the relative abundances of pathogenic bacteria such as Morganella, Citrobacter, Proteus, Klebsiella, Shigella, Aggregatibacter, and Enterococcus increased significantly, while the relative abundances of beneficial bacteria such as Butyricimonas, Veillonella, Prevotella, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Ruminococcus decreased significantly. Compared with the CLP group, CLP+LIR group could significantly reduce the pathological damage of renal tissue, the pathological score significantly decreased (1.80±0.84 vs. 4.20±1.30, P < 0.05), and improve the composition of intestinal flora, reduce the relative abundances of pathogenic bacteria such as Proteus, Klebsiella, Shigella, Aggregatibacter, and Enterococcus, and significantly increase the relative abundances of Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Ruminococcus, significantly reduce the contents of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, Cr, and UREA in peripheral blood and the levels of MDA and Fe²⁺ in renal tissue [blood TNF-α (ng/L): 191.31±7.23 vs. 254.90±47.89, blood IL-1β (ng/L): 11.15±4.04 vs. 23.06±1.67, blood IL-6 (ng/L): 163.20±17.83 vs. 267.69±20.92, blood Cr (μmol/L): 24.14±4.25 vs. 41.17±5.43, blood UREA (mmol/L): 4.59±0.90 vs. 8.01±1.07, renal MDA (μmol/g): 9.67±0.46 vs. 16.05±0.88, renal Fe²⁺ (mg/g): 0.71±0.07 vs. 0.93±0.04, all P < 0.05], and increase the protein expressions of Nrf2, GPX4, and HO-1 (Nrf2/GAPDH: 1.21±0.01 vs. 0.39±0.01, GPX4/GAPDH: 0.74±0.04 vs. 0.48±0.04, HO-1/GAPDH: 0.91±0.01 vs. 0.41±0.02, all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Liriodendrin has an obvious protective effect on sepsis-induced AKI. The mechanism may involve regulating the intestinal flora, increasing the activation of the Nrf2/HO-1/GPX4 signaling pathway in renal tissue, and reducing ferroptosis.
Animals ; Acute Kidney Injury/microbiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sepsis/complications* ; Male ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Kidney/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*

BACKGROUND:Type 2 diabetes is often accompanied by renal dysfunction.Increasing studies have shown that exercise can alleviate metabolic disorders and renal dysfunction in diabetic patients.However,the specific mechanism underlying the renal protective effect of exercise in patients with type 2 diabetes is rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate whether aerobic exercise can improve renal function in type 2 diabetic rats by inhibiting transforming growth factor β1/Notch1 pathway. METHODS:Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group and diabetes model group.After successful modeling,they were randomly divided into diabetes control group and diabetes exercise group.Rats in the diabetes exercise group were subjected to an 8-week aerobic exercise.Samples were collected after exercise,and the relevant indexes of glucose and lipid metabolism and renal function were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer and ELISA.The microscopic structure of renal cortex was observed by electron microscope.ELISA and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of related proteins and genes in rat kidney tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the normal control group,fasting blood glucose,total cholesterol,and triglyceride levels and insulin resistance index were significantly increased in the diabetic control group(P＜0.05).Aerobic exercise could significantly reduce fasting blood glucose and triglyceride levels(P＜0.05).Compared with the normal control group,the diabetic control group had significantly increased contents of urinary microalbumin,serum urea nitrogen and serum creatinine(P＜0.01),thickened renal basement membrane,mesangial matrix hyperplasia,accompanied by a certain degree of foot process fusion,and obvious lesion of the kidney.Aerobic exercise could significantly down-regulate the overexpressions of urinary microalbumin,serum urea nitrogen and serum creatinine in type 2 diabetic rats(P＜0.01),and significantly improve the pathological changes of the kidney in diabetic rats.Compared with the normal control group,the protein and gene expression levels of transforming growth factor β1,Notch1,Jagged1 and Hes1 in rat kidney tissue were significantly increased in the diabetic control group(P＜0.01).Aerobic exercise had a highly significant inhibitory effect on the overexpression of transforming growth factor β1,Notch1 and Jagged1 proteins and genes(P＜0.01)and also significantly inhibited the overexpression of Hes1 protein(P＜0.05).In conclusion,aerobic exercise can protect renal function and delay the pathological progression of the kidney in diabetic rats,which may be achieved by inhibiting the overexpression of transforming growth factor β1/Notch1 signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the effects of home hospice care team service model in patients with end-stage malignant tumors and main caregivers, so as to provide intervention programs for improving the quality of life of patients with end-stage malignant tumors.Methods:In the prospective and controlled study, 106 patients with malignant tumors who received end-stage hospice care in Yuebei People′s Hospital and main caregivers from May 2021 to July 2021 were selected by convenience sampling method, and divided into trial group (53 pairs) and control group (53 pairs) according to the random number table method. The control group was treated with routine nursing intervention, and the trial group was given home hospice care team service model intervention based on the control group. The occurrence of falls and negative emotions and quality of life of patients, psychological stress of primary caregivers before and after intervention were observed by using Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Relative Stress Scale (RSS) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Scale (EORTC QLQ-C30).Results:Finally, 103 patients and main caregivers completed the study, with 52 pairs in the control group and 51 pairs in the trial group. In the control group, the patients were 29 males and 23 females, aged (54.33 ± 12.24) years old,and the main caregivers were 22 males and 30 females, aged (41.67 ± 8.14) years old. In the trial group,the patients were 27 males and 24 females,aged (55.17 ± 10.56) years old,and the main caregivers were 24 males and 27 females, aged (43.62 ± 7.39) years old. After intervention, the total incidence of falls and the total incidence of fall complications in the trial group were 7.84% (4/51) and 1.96% (1/51), respectively, which were lower than 25.00% (13/52) and 11.54% (7/52) in the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=5.50, 4.75, both P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the score of SAS, SDS, RSS, EORTC QLQ-C30 before intervention between the two groups (all P>0.05). After intervention, the scores of SAS and SDS in trial group were (32.66 ± 3.18), (31.19 ± 4.50) points,which lower than those in control group (34.54 ± 3.91), (34.31 ± 4.03) points, the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.67, 2.51, both P<0.05). After intervention, the RSS scores of psychological distress, life disruption, negative emotion and total score of the main caregivers in trial group were (3.52 ± 0.48), (3.66 ±0.56), (3.47 ± 0.82), (10.65 ± 0.67) points, which were lower than those in the control group (4.74 ± 2.75), (4.67 ± 2.64), (4.12 ± 2.13), (13.53 ± 2.26) points, the differences were statistically significant ( t values were 2.04-8.73, all P<0.05). After intervention, the EORTC QLQ-C30 score in the trial group was (74.14 ± 5.64) points, which was lower than that in the control group (70.54 ± 7.07) points, the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.85, P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of home hospice care team service model can effectively reduce the risk of falls in patients with malignant tumor chemotherapy, improve the negative emotions of patients and the psychological stress state of their main caregivers, and improve the quality of life of patients.

Objective To study EBV infection in nasopharyngeal carcinoma screening population in Guangzhou and analyze the influencing factors.Methods The data of individuals(aged 20 years and above)having EBV antibody of VCA-IgA and NA1-IgA test in Guangzhou Cadre and Talent Health Management Centerwere collected.Current status of EBV infection was studied and its influencing factors were analyzed by logistic regression analysis.Results A total of 55 311 subjects were screened,including 35 429 males(64.05%)and 19,882 females(35.95%).The overall EBV infection rate was 8.00%.There was no significant differences in the infection rate between different sex groups(P>0.05).The infection rate of EBV increased with age,with infection rate of 7.07%in individuals aged 20～39 years,7.86%in those aged 40～59 years,10.11%in those of 60～79 years old,and 10.99%in those aged≥80 years,showing statistical significance(χ2 = 85.487,P<0.01).Logistic regression analysis showed that EBV infection risk increased significantly with advancing age.The odds of EBV infection in individuals aged 40～59 years were 10.6%higher compared to those aged 20～39 years(OR = 1.106,95%CI:1.028～1.190).The odds of EBV infection in individuals aged 60～79 years were 42.2%higher compared to those aged 20～39 years(OR = 1.422,95%CI:1.288～1.569).Furthermore,the odds of EBV infection in individuals aged≥80 years were 53.1%higher compared to those aged 20～39 years(OR = 1.531,95%CI:1.230～1.906).A prior diagnosis of hypertension significantly increased the odds of EBV infection(OR = 1.105,95%CI:1.003～1.218).However,diabetes history exerted no influence on the outcome of EBV infection(P>0.05).Conclusions The overall infection rate of EBV in Guangzhou is 8.00%.Advanced age and hypertension history are the risk factors of EBV.The screening and prevention and control of EBV susceptible people should be strengthened.

Objective: The heart contains a pool of c-kit+ progenitor cells which is believed to be able to regenerate. The differentiation of these progenitor cells is reliant on different physiological cues. Unraveling the underlying signals to direct differentiation of progenitor cells will be beneficial in controlling progenitor cell fate. In this regard, the role of the mitochondria in mediating cardiac progenitor cell fate remains unclear. Specifically, the association between changes in mitochondrial morphology with the differentiation status of c-kit+ CPCs remains elusive. In this study, we investigated the relationship between mitochondrial morphology and the differentiation status of c-kit+ progenitor cells. Methods: and Results: c-kit+ CPCs were isolated from 2-month-old male wild-type FVB mice. To activate differentiation, CPCs were incubated in α-minimal essential medium containing 10 nM dexamethasone for up to 7 days. To inhibit Drp1-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation, either 10 μM or 50 μM mdivi-1 was administered once at Day 0 and again at Day 2 of differentiation. To inhibit calcineurin, either 1 μM or 5 μM ciclosporin-A (CsA) was administered once at Day 0 and again at Day 2 of differentiation. Dexamethasone-induced differentiation of c-kit+ progenitor cells is aligned with fragmentation of the mitochondria via a calcineurin-Drp1 pathway. Pharmacologically inhibiting mitochondrial fragmentation retains the undifferentiated state of the c-kit+ progenitor cells. Conclusions The findings from this study provide an alternative view of the role of mitochondrial fusion-fission in the differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells and the potential of pharmacologically manipulating the mitochondria to direct progenitor cell fate.

Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effect of deoxyribonuclease Ⅰ (DNaseⅠ) on Cutibacterium acnes biofilms. Methods:Cutibacterium acnes biofilms were constructed, and then were divided into 4 groups (negative control group, 5, 10 and 20 U/ml DNase Ⅰ groups) to be treated with DNase Ⅰ at different concentrations of 0, 5, 10 and 20 U/ml respectively. The biofilm viability was evaluated by tetrazolium salt colorimetric assay, the biofilm content was determined by crystal violet staining-based semi-quantitative analysis, the biofilm structure was observed by confocal laser scanning microscopy, and the live/dead bacteria ratio was calculated. One-way analysis of variance was used to analyze differences between groups. Results:After the treatment with DNase Ⅰ, the biofilm viability was significantly inhibited in the 5, 10 and 20 U/ml DNaseⅠ groups (1.882 ± 0.421, 1.653 ± 0.287, 1.473 ± 0.154, respectively) compared with the negative control group (2.668 ± 0.245), and the inhibitory effect was gradually enhanced with the increase in concentrations of DNase Ⅰ ( F = 9.68, P = 0.005). Crystal violet semi-quantitative analysis showed that the biofilm content was also significantly lower in the 5, 10 and 20 U/ml DNaseⅠ groups (1.039 ± 0.003, 0.489 ± 0.079, 0.147 ± 0.034, respectively) than in the negative control group (1.359 ± 0.071), and the higher the DNase Ⅰ concentration, the lower the biofilm content ( F = 174.40, P < 0.001). Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that the biofilm structure was destroyed in the 5, 10 and 20 U/ml DNase Ⅰ groups compared with the negative control group, and the higher the DNase Ⅰ concentration, the more severe the destruction of biofilm structure. Additionally, the live/dead bacteria ratio was significantly lower in the 5, 10 and 20 U/ml DNaseⅠ groups (2.303 ± 0.457, 1.534 ± 0.526, 1.263 ± 0.354, respectively) than in the negative control group (4.475 ± 0.146), and the ratio decreased with the increase in concentrations of DNase Ⅰ ( F = 56.75, P < 0.000 1) . Conclusion:DNase Ⅰ had a destructive effect on the structure of Cutibacterium acnes biofilms, and could inhibit their viability.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the composition and metabolites of gut microbiota in septic rats by fecal 16s rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics, and to preliminarily explore the effect and potential mechanism of gut microbiota and its metabolites on inflammatory response and multiple organ damage in sepsis. METHODS: Ten males healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a sham operated group (Sham group) and sepsis model group (CLP group) using a random number table method, with 5 rats in each group. A rat sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) method. The animals were sacrificed 24 hours after modeling, the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in peripheral blood were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the pathological changes of lung and kidney tissues, and the pathological scores were evaluated. Fecal samples were collected, and 16s rRNA high-throughput sequencing and non-targeted metabolomics were used to screen microbiota, metabolites and potential signal pathways that may play an important role in disease outcomes. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to jointly analyze the gut microbiota and non-targeted metabolism. RESULTS: Compared with the Sham group, the degree of pathological damage to lung and kidney tissues in the CLP group was significantly increased (lung tissue score: 3.60±0.80 vs. 0.00±0.00, kidney tissue score: 2.40±0.80 vs. 0.00±0.00, both P < 0.01), the level of IL-6 and TNF-α in peripheral blood significantly increased [TNF-α (ng/L): 248.12±55.98 vs. 143.28±36.57, IL-6 (ng/L): 260.26±39.47 vs. 116.01±26.43, both P < 0.05], the species diversity of intestinal flora of rats in the CLP group was significantly reduced, the relative abundance of Morganella, Bacteroides and Escherichia-Shigella were significantly increased, and the relative abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A136, Ruminococcus, Romboutsia and Roseburia were significantly reduced. In addition, the biosynthesis and bile secretion of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan in the gut microbiota of the CLP group were significantly increased, while the biosynthesis of secondary bile acids was significantly reduced. There was a significant correlation between differential metabolites and differential microbiota. CONCLUSIONS Sepsis can cause significant changes in the characteristics of gut microbiota and fecal metabolites in rats, which provides a basis for translational research to seek new targets for the treatment of sepsis.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Interleukin-6 ; Rats, Wistar ; Sepsis

Objective To investigate the value of a risk assessment model in predicting venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with liver failure after artificial liver support therapy. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 124 patients with liver failure who received artificial liver support therapy in Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from March 2019 to December 2021, among whom there were 41 patients with VTE (observation group) and 143 patients without VTE (control group). Related clinical data were compared between the two groups, and the Caprini risk assessment model was used for scoring and risk classification of the patients in both groups. The t -test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups; the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups; the Mann-Whitney U rank sum test was used for comparison of ranked data between two groups. The logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the independent risk factors for VTE in patients with liver failure after artificial liver support therapy. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to investigate the value of Caprini score and the multivariate predictive model used alone or in combination in predicting VTE. Results The observation group had a significantly higher Caprini score than the control group (4.39±1.10 vs 3.12±1.04, t =6.805, P < 0.001). There was a significant difference between the two groups in risk classification based on Caprini scale ( P < 0.05), and the patients with high risk or extremely high risk accounted for a higher proportion among the patients with VTE. The univariate analysis showed that there were significant differences between the two groups in age ( t =6.400, P < 0.001), catheterization method ( χ 2 =14.413, P < 0.001), number of times of artificial liver support therapy ( Z =-4.720, P < 0.001), activity ( Z =-6.282, P < 0.001), infection ( χ 2 =33.071, P < 0.001), D-dimer ( t =8.746, P < 0.001), 28-day mortality rate ( χ 2 =5.524, P =0.022). The multivariate analysis showed that number of times of artificial liver support therapy (X 1 ) (odds ratio [ OR ]=0.251, 95% confidence interval [ CI ]: 0.111-0.566, P =0.001), activity (X 2 ) ( OR =0.122, 95% CI : 0.056-0.264, P < 0.001), D-dimer (X 3 ) ( OR =2.921, 95% CI : 1.114-7.662, P =0.029) were independent risk factors for VTE in patients with liver failure after artificial liver support therapy. The equation for individual predicted probability was P =1/[1+e -(7.425-1.384X 1 -2.103X 2 +1.072X 3 ) ]. The ROC curve analysis showed that Caprini score had an area under the ROC curve of 0.802 (95% CI : 0.721-0.882, P < 0.001), and the multivariate model had an area under the ROC curve of 0.768 (95% CI : 0.685-0.851, P < 0.001), while the combination of Caprini score and the multivariate model had an area under the ROC curve of 0.957 (95% CI : 0.930-0.984, P < 0.001). Conclusion The Caprini risk assessment model has a high predictive efficiency for the risk of VTE in patients with liver failure after artificial liver support therapy, and its combination with the multivariate predictive model can significantly improve the prediction of VTE.

New drug discovery is under growing pressure to satisfy the demand from a wide range of domains, especially from the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare services. Assessment of drug efficacy and safety prior to human clinical trials is a crucial part of drug development, which deserves greater emphasis to reduce the cost and time in drug discovery. Recent advances in microfabrication and tissue engineering have given rise to organ-on-a-chip, an in vitro model capable of recapitulating human organ functions in vivo and providing insight into disease pathophysiology, which offers a potential alternative to animal models for more efficient pre-clinical screening of drug candidates. In this review, we first give a snapshot of general considerations for organ-on-a-chip device design. Then, we comprehensively review the recent advances in organ-on-a-chip for drug screening. Finally, we summarize some key challenges of the progress in this field and discuss future prospects of organ-on-a-chip development. Overall, this review highlights the new avenue that organ-on-a-chip opens for drug development, therapeutic innovation, and precision medicine.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Liangxue Huoxue decoction on intestinal flora, intestinal barrier and NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/caspase-1/gasdermin D (GSDMD) pyroptosis signaling pathway in mice model of sepsis-induced acute kidney injury (AKI).Methods:The model of AKI was established by cecal ligation and perforation (CLP). Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into sham operation group (Sham group), sepsis group (CLP group) and sepsis+Liangxue Huoxue decoction (CLP+LXHX group), with 10 mice in each group. Mice in Sham group only underwent laparotomy. Two hours before model establishment, mice in CLP+LXHX group were treated with Liangxue Huoxue decoction (6 g/kg) by gavage; mice in Sham group and CLP group were given equal volume of normal saline by gavages. After 24 hours of modeling, all mice were sacrificed under anesthesia, and the colon and kidney tissues and fresh feces in the colon were taken. The pathological changes of kidney and colon were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining under light microscope. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect inflammatory factors (interleukins, IL-1β and IL-18) in renal tissue. The expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD were detected by Western blotting. The changes of intestinal flora in mice were detected by 16S rDNA high-throughput sequencing.Results:Compared with the Sham group, the inflammatory cell infiltration of the kidney tissue was increased and the kidney became vacuolated in CLP group, the mRNA expressions of IL-1β, IL-18, and the protein expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD were significantly increased in CLP group, the species richness of intestinal microflora decreased significantly, the relative abundance of Enterococcus and Escherichia-Shigella increased significantly, and the relative abundance of Ileibacterium, Alloprevotella, Lachnospiraceae, Klebsiella and Parasutterella increased significantly in CLP group. Compared with CLP group, Liangxue Huoxue decoction can significantly reduce the pathological changes of kidney and colon tissue, reduce the pathological score (1.75±0.43 vs. 3.50±0.50 for kidney tissue, 1.25±0.43 vs. 4.50±0.50 for colon tissue, both P < 0.05), improve the composition of intestinal flora, reduce the relative abundance of Enterococcus and Escherichia-Shigella, and significantly increase the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Akkermansia. In addition, Liangxue Huoxue decoction can significantly reduce mRNA expressions of IL-1β and IL-18 in kidney tissue [IL-1β mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 1.59±0.05 vs. 4.61±0.88, IL-18 mRNA (2 -ΔΔCt): 1.69±0.17 vs. 2.86±0.63, both P < 0.05] and the protein expressions of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD (NLRP3/GAPDH: 0.71±0.04 vs. 0.89±0.01, caspase-1/GAPDH: 1.04±0.04 vs. 1.48±0.04, GSDMD/GAPDH: 0.90±0.01 vs. 1.41±0.02, all P < 0.05). Conclusions:Liangxue Huoxue decoction has obvious protective effect on AKI induced by sepsis. It can improve intestinal barrier by regulating intestinal flora, thereby inhibiting the activation of NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway in kidney tissue and reducing the expression of proptosis-related inflammatory factors.